1 Peter 2
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Here we see God’s heart and His desire for those called by His Name.
In verse 1 we read, having become children of God, we must put aside “all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings”.
We will not be able to go God’s way if these things are in our lives. But if we obey our Lord and part from sin, then we will have only one craving and that is to drink of the pure milk of the Word of God like newborn babies.
God calls us to come close to The Corner Stone, Jesus Christ, that many others have rejected. There are many foundations in this world, but God wants us to build upon the One True Foundation. Then we too will be like Living stones, built up in Him. We must put our faith in Him then we will be like Him and live like Him.
The Bible says whoever believes in Him will never be disappointed (verse 6). The one who build on this corner stone will never be put to shame. Where He is there is life, and we will find true life as we draw nigh to Him.
On whom do you build your faith?
It’s true there are Christians who attend church regularly but there’s no true life in their lives.
It’s possible that you are a Christian but yet you don’t know who you are in Christ. You call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ yet your life doesn’t show it. If you’re a Christian you cannot be like others. The Bible says a person in Christ is a new creation, all things have become new (2Cor 5:17). Your conduct and the way you go about doing things must show it.
We must grasp hold of this identity that we’ve been chosen out of this world to be a peculiar people of God. If you believe it is because of God’s electing love towards you.
Maybe you still desire the world because you’ve never been chosen of God but have just made your own decisions?
Having chosen us, God has a task for each one. He wants us separate from sin because He wants to use us. Unless you separate from sin God cannot use you.
In John 15 Jesus says, “I am the true vine”.
And in John 3:16, “For God so loved the word that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have Everlasting Life”.
He has also called us to be a royal priesthood. It shows us to what extent He has chosen and called us.
At first the priesthood only belonged to the tribe of Levi, but by God’s grace we have now been called. We have also received this calling to pass it on to others that they too might receive new life in Christ Jesus.
To preach the Gospel and testify is important, but your life should go together and show forth the transformed life of Christ. Is that witness and testimony evident in your life? Is the work of Jesus evident in your life?
Each of us ought to have a testimony that Jesus has called you out of darkness and put a new song in your mouth, as we read in Ps 40:3. Is that changed life evident in your life? If not, why not?
1 Pet 1
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
That is where God wants us to be, the life He expects us to live to make us well-pleasing in His sight. We need to have this concern, “am I living in the will of God today?” Do you take after Jesus? He has combined the offices of priest and king for His children. He doesn’t just call us servants because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. He wants us to be so close to Him that we are united with Him. He calls us His friends and coworkers.
Are you ruled by Him or your own desires? Is God’s will done in your life? Then you will be one with Him.
Remember the three friends of Daniel. It didn’t matter to them that they found themselves in a foreign country for they remained faithful to God. And their faithfulness convinced that heathen king and He commanded that all should reverence the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We need to demonstrate that we are God’s children by living holy lives, even as He is holy.
By God’s grace this work is accomplished in my life and I cannot keep quiet.
Finally God’s Word says we need to take care to “abstain from sinful desires that war against the soul”, and live such lives before the heathen that even if they slander us they might be put to shame by our godly conduct (1Pet 3:16). Do not take those sinful desires lightly for they want to destroy you. Cry for help when you see these sinful desires entering your life. Don’t be silent lest you waste away.
There is a work to do, but how can we do the work while we are defeated? You will harm God’s work if you allow these lusts to enter your life. If you allow this fire of lust to burn in your life you will eventually become a traitor to God and harm His work.
May God’s fruit be found in our lives and not the fruit of the flesh and of the world. Some get so enraged that they even shake from rage. Others are filled with gossip and cannot preach the Gospel while controlled by these things. Be on your guard against these sinful desires that want to rob you of God’s work in your life.
You’ve been chosen by God. Now live that life.
Perhaps you have been wounded by the devil but there’s a cure. Jesus desires to and is able to set you free.